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Leptospirosis Alert for Pantai Hill Visitors

This posting comes from a personal experience of leptospirosis in 2014 on Pantai Hill Orchard resort itself. Although i cannot identify or accurately pin where i contracted this disease from on Pantai Hill, i can however reduce its possibilities to a few places: 1. My pond, 2. The river just outside the gates of Pantai Hill 3. Area surrounding my own house in Pantai Hill.

After living here for a few years now, I realise that Pantai Hill is full of jungle rats. (and several species too) Although leptospirosis is not only a rat related disease, but can be carried by other animals too, i post this as a precautionary warning to all visitors of Pantai Hill Orchard. (Please remember that as more trash accumulates on Pantai Hill, due to unchecked and irresponsible behaviour of visitors and workers – it directly promotes a higher rat population on the hill)

from: The Borneo Post – Online

On precautionary measures, Dr Zulkifli advised members of the public to drink only boiled water and well-cooked food.

As for residents staying near river banks or those depending on rain water as their source of drinking water, they must ensure that the water is properly boiled to kill harmful micro-organisms, he further advised

He pointed out that a person could become infected with leptospirosis by wading in floodwaters contaminated with the urine of rats or other animals such as pigs, cows, dogs, or any wild animals infected by the leptospira bacteria.

“Henceforth, it is crucial to note that in times of flooding, parents must ensure that their children do not play near the drains or wade in floodwaters as they may be contaminated with animals’ urine such as rats,” he said.

Meanwhile, information obtained from the department’s website stated that humans become infected when exposed to water, food, or soil contaminated with urine of infected animals such as rats, cats, dogs, cows, goats, pigs, horses and wild animals.

The Malaysian Health Ministry published this paper in 2011:

Leptospirosis is usually a seasonal disease that starts at the onset of the rainy season and declines as the rainfall recedes. Sporadic cases may occur throughout the year with outbreaks associated with extreme changing weather events such as heavy rainfall and flooding

Leptospirosis is also known as “the Great Mimicker” and may be overlooked and underdiagnosed due to its varied clinical presentations.

FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE EMERGENCE OF LEPTOSPIROSIS
The conditions that are favourable for maintenance and transmission of Leptospirosis are:

a) Reservoir and carrier hosts Leptospirosis has a very wide range of natural rodent, and non-rodent reservoir hosts especially rats, cattle, dogs, foxes, rabbits, etc. The animals act as carriers of the leptospires and excrete large number of leptospires in their urine, thus responsible for the contamination of large and small water bodies as well as soil.

b) Flooding, drainage congestion Flooding and drainage congestion may be risk factors for contamination of water bodies with infected animal urine. Water logged areas may force rodent population to abandon their burrows and contaminate the stagnant water by their urine.

c) Animal-Human Interface The potential for infection increases through exposure from occupational or recreational activities without proper protection. Poor cleanliness/sanitation in recreational areas may attract animal host such as rodent thus increases the risk of contamination. These may be due to poor maintenance of facilities, improper disposal of waste and public attitude/ apathy.

d) Human host risk factors Several sections of the population are more susceptible to infection such as those not previously exposed to the bacteria in their environment (naïve immunities), and those with chronic disease and open skin wounds.

MODES OF TRANSMISSION
Infection is acquired from contact through skin, mucosa/ conjunctiva with water or soil contaminated with the urine of rodents, carrier or diseased animals in the environment. Ingestion of contaminated water may also cause infection. There is no documentation of human to human transmission.

HIGH RISK GROUPS
Exposure depends on chance contacts between human and infected animals or a contaminated environment through occupational and/or recreational activities. Some groups are at higher risk to contract the disease such as:
• Workers in the agricultural sectors • Sewerage workers • Livestock handlers • Pet shops workers • Military personnel • Search and rescue workers in high risk environment • Disaster relief workers (e.g. during floods) • People involved with outdoor/recreational activities such as water recreational activities, jungle trekking, etc. • Travelers who are not previously exposed to the bacteria in their environment especially those travelers and/or participants in jungle adventure trips or outdoor sport activities • People with chronic disease and open skin wounds.

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2 thoughts on “Leptospirosis Alert for Pantai Hill Visitors”

Oh dear we residents located at Pantai Hill Orchard Resort a very concerned about this serious ailment. Our source of water comes from the said nearby river stream. We bathe and shower using this water too!!!!